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Healthy Mind

7 Ways To Beat The Post-Holiday Funk

January 9, 2018 - By Lucas Brun

While some of us are already thinking about assignment deadlines, others are seeing the snow falls in their hometown turning into rain. The one thing we are all sharing in early January is this sense of post-holiday season blues. Between the new college term coming nearer and the excitement of the break wearing off, there are plenty of reasons to feel down in the dumps at this time of year. Thankfully, using a few simple tricks, you will be all set to tackle the year ahead!

Make plans for the upcoming year

If you have not done so already, start making plans for the upcoming year. It can be as lavish as a two-month trip to Australia in the summer, to more simple and affordable plans. This will give you something to look forward to, and the planning process will also keep you busy and distract you from wintertime gloom.

Take some time to detox

With the large family meals and the abundance of alcohol at New Year’s Eve parties, the holiday season is often one of over indulgence. Whether you are an occasional drinker or a complete sesh-moth, it can be helpful to go dry for a short while. You will reap the benefits when it comes to your physical and mental health, and it will allow you to save up (both financially, and in terms of health) if you intend on playing hard in your college balls and at RAG week.

Work on small changes

Following on the previous point, this time between end-of-year celebrations and college is perfect for curbing bad habits and forming new, more helpful ones. For example, you could use this time to fix your sleep pattern. By forcing yourself to go to bed earlier and waking up early, as well as getting a sufficient number of hours of sleep, it will be easier for you to have a healthier relationship to sleep once the workload starts pilling up again.

Set manageable goals for your resolutions

If, like a majority of people, you made some new year’s resolutions, you might already feel the difficulty in keeping them. While it is not impossible to make big lifestyle changes, you might find it easier to split your resolutions into smaller, more manageable goals. Did you decide to go to the gym four times a week? Maybe try going once a week for the first month, and build up from there. This is better than quitting, and you will still get a sense of achievement.

Prepare for the next semester

I know that thinking about college might seem a little counter-productive. However, this might make you a little busy if you feel like you are sitting around, and it will allow you to get

back into an academic mood, without the stress of essay deadlines and attendance penalties. You can also come on with planning methods that will come in handy during the semester. Scheduling is often much more productive than making to-do lists. A lot of great apps can help you achieve this, or if you prefer using a manual method instead, bullet-journaling is a great method to organise your life.

Take advantage of your remaining free time for relaxation

Although this list includes a lot of productivity tips, there is nothing wrong with using the last few days of the holiday break for relaxation. Catch up on your favourite TV series and films, read, or practice your favourite sport. If you are not sure how to spend your free time, you can also volunteer to a local charity or organisation, or help out some neighbours or relatives.

Reflect positively on the holiday season

One of the main reason people feel a little sadder at the beginning of the year is because the festivities are over. But instead of focusing too much on the fact that they are, try to recall all of the good yuletide moments. There are many more things to look forward to in 2018 (including many breaks). And remember, the next winter break is just twelve months away from now.